Marti Talbotts Highlander Series 1 - Anna Rachel u Charlet

nodded, she boldly walked between the men and stopped in front Kevin. She could hear the men behind her pass the word that the Fergusons hit her over the head and left her to die. She folded her arms and glared at the man in the window for several minutes.
    Then she t urned and went back to Connor.
    Kevin watched her go and smiled when she put her arms around the young man. “I believe my wife just lost the wager.”
    Justin smiled too, “I am glad of it. He is a good lad and he will treat her well.”
    “Aye. Did we get all the food out?”
    “We did not have that much left. It has been four days since a hunt and with the extra families, we ’ ve nearly eaten everything in the garden. What we had, we sent with the lasses. We dumped all the water and hid the wine. They may eat a horse or two before they come out. Our archers are watching the hidden doors and we will light torches in the night to help the archers see.”
    “We could go back in through the doors and force them out.”
    Justin smiled. “Aye, but it will be an easier battle out here where they cannot hide in our homes.”
    “Perhaps we will have a feast and let them watch.”
    “Perhaps we will.”
    A rider came to tell them the rest of the Fergusons had run away. Kevin nodded. “When this is over, we will warn them not to set foot on MacGreagor land again. If they do, we will attack and kill the few lads they will have left.”
    A Ferguson appeared atop the western wall with a loaded bow. A MacGreagor archer shot him and the man fell backwards to his death . It was so quiet, that when he cried out and landed with a thud , everyone could hear.
    Kevin said, “We left the ladders up. They will use them when the time comes just as we planned.”
    Justin agreed. “Ferguson made a mistake when he drove us inside the wall.”
    “Aye, but his lads are not well trained and he did not want any of our men outside able to kill his one at a time. It is an error he will die regretting.” Kevin could see no more movement on top of the wall and Ferguson disappeared from the window. “It may be a long wait before they come out.”
    “Aye, it may.”

    She was in his arms again and when she looked up at him in the early dawn, Connor could see how tired she was. There were dark circles under her eyes and she looked like she would fall asleep on her feet. So he bent down and lifted her into his arms. She laid her head against his chest and went sound asleep. He took a relieved breath. She was back and she was finally his.

    It wasn’t long until Thomas walked into the meadow to stand beside Kevin. “We found your traitor, he is dead.”
    “ Who?”
    “Angus. He knew you would make Connor your third and he thought he deserved it.”
    “I never would have guessed. Does every laird have his traitor? My father did.”
    “Aye, it would seem so. I wonder who mine is.”
    Kevin playfully slapped his old friend on the back. “I will find him for you.”
    “I am happy to hear that.”
    “We are thinking of having a feast. Would your lads care to join us?”
    “Some will join you, but my unmarried lads want to go home. They have never seen so many pleasing lasses as the ones you sent to us.”
    “Then I insist they stay!”
    Thomas laughed. “You cannot keep them all to yourself, Kevin.”
    “Aye, but I can die trying.”

    When she woke up, she was lying on one plaid and was covered with another at the edge of the meadow. She rolled from her side to her back and was soon reminded of her sore head. Before long, Connor was at her side offering his hand to help her sit up. In his other hand, he held a bowl of the best smelling stew she had ever seen. She couldn’t get to it fast enough and didn’t care what she looked like eating it. Three mouth fuls later, she looked around.
    Most of the men were still in the meadow with her. Some were sitting, some were lying down and others were standing -- waiting for some sign that the Fergusons were coming out. Justin came over and wanted to see her injury. When he touched it, it hurt , but not as much as before.
    “Did you see who did this, Lass?”
    “Nay.”
    Justin patted her arm. “When you are ready, Connor will take you to your mother. She and your sister have been on their knees praying for so long they are in more pain than you are.”
    Rachel smiled and then nodded.
    Justin kissed her on the forehead and walked back to Kevin. As soon as she finished eating, she felt much better. She dreaded getting on